Float arm seal



ug. 18, 1931. c. A. DE GIERS FLOAT ARM SEAL Filed July 1o, 1929 Patented Aug. 18, 1931 CLARENCE A. DE GIERB, OF FOREST HILLS,

PATENT; OFFICE NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T LIQUIDOMETER CORPORATION, 0F LONG ISLAND CITY, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION 0F DIEIAVTAIMlil FLOAT ARM SEALA Application Iiled July 10,

In the -use of liquid level gauges having a float within a tank and an indicator on the outside -of the tank, it is sometime-s advisable or even necessary to seal the indicating apparatus from contact with material in the tank, and to so design the sealing device that it andthe float may be easily cleanable so as to afford no opportunities for the breeding of bacteria. Provisions such as the above are necessary when the 'gauge is ap lied to a tank containing such liquids as mi The principal object of this invention, therefore, is to provide means for interconnecting the iioat arm and indicating mechanism in such manner that the indicating mechanism is sealed against the tank contents, the sealing device being flexible so as to permit pro er action of the float arm, and the float arm ing readily detachable therefrom for cleaning purposes.

Furthermore, 'the seal and arm securing devices are free from creases, grooves, or pockets, and therefore readily cleanable.

Further and other objects and advantages will be apparent from the specification and claims, and froml the drawin s which illustrate what is new considere the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a cross section showing the invention 1n connection with an indicator attached to the side of a milk tank.

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the seal, the ioat arm clamp, and the clamping ring.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross sectlon on the a5 line 3-3 of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a cross section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2. v

The wall 10 of the tank is of wood, with metal facin s 12 and, 14 on inside and outside respectlvel A metal sleeve 16 having a head 18 is slipped through a hole in the tank wall, with packin 20 between head and wall. Sleeve 16 is hel in position by clamping nuts 22 on the outside of the tank, with packing 24 between nuts and tank.

On the protrudin threaded end of sleeve 16 is a flange 26 an to this flange is bolted the body 28 of the level indicator. The indicator, which forms no part of thisinvention, is operated by arm 30 through the instru- 1929. Serial No. 377,089.

mentality of horizontal link 32 which serves to connect arm 30 to crank pin 34 on the innerend of the shank 36 which is pivcted on pin 38 in bracket 40 supported at the inner end of sleeve 16. It will be apparent that movement of shank 36 about its pivot 38 will move link 32 horizontally to actuate the indicator through arm 30.

Threaded onto the inner side of flange 18 is 'a metallic ring 40 to which is vulcanized the bell shaped end 42 of a rubber sealing device, the other end of which is of tubular shape as at 44 with a'bore of proper diameter to fit snugly over shank 36 and with a head 46 to close the end of the tube. 65

With the rubber seal in place the contents of the tank are held out of all contact with shank 36 or any of the operative parts of the indicator, and the flexible bell 42 does not interfere with movement of the shank about 70 its ivot.

n order to operatively connect the oat with shank 36, the oat arm 52 is provided at its end with a pair of long jaws 54 arcuate in cross section, and a clamping ring 56 of proper internal diameter to slide along the youtside of the jaws and securely clamp them tothe resilient sleeve 44 with shank 36 inside thereof. Beads 58'serve to prevent passage of ring 56 over the free ends of the jaws.

By the above means the float is instantly detachable from the indicator and, when so detached, as in Fig. 2, all parts likely to come in contact with the tank contents are readily cleanable. After cleaning they may be instantly reassembled in operative relav tionship as in Fi 1.

It is to be un erstood that the invention is not limited to the specific construction herein described, but may be used in other wa s without departure from its spirit as de ned by the fol owing claims.

, I claim- 1. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a tank adapted to contain liquid, a float adapted to rest on the liquid, an indicating device on the outside wall of the tank, and means for o ratively intercom-- necting said oat and said device, said interconnecting means including a shank, a float 10 arm, jaws on said float arm and a ring for locking said jaws to said shank, substantially as described.

2. The invention set forth in claim ljin 5 which a resilient sleeve is interposed between said jaws and said shank.

`3. The invention set forth in claim 1 1n which a resilient sleeve is interposed between said jaws and said shank, said sleeve serving as a seal to prevent contact of the tank contents and sald indicating device.

4. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a tank adapted to contain liquid, a oat adapted to rest on the liquid,

pivoted means for supporting said float and sealing device interconnecting said 'su porting means and the wall of the tank w ereby access of the tank contents to the space between seal and wall is prevented.

5. The invention set forth in claim 4 in which said sealing device includes a flexible bell-like portion adjacent the tank wall.

- 6. The invention set forth in claim 4 in which said sealing device is provided with a -surface adapted for easy and complete cleansing, for the'purpose set forth.

7. In apparatus of the class described, in combinat1on, a tank adapted to contain liquid, a iioat ada ted to rest on. the liquid, a pivoted shank or supporting,l said float, and a sealing device interconnecting said shank and the wall of the tank, said device ,comprising a tubular portion enclosing said shank, and a bell-'like portion engaging the tank wall, for the purpose set forth.

8. The invention set forth in claim 7 in which clamping means is provided for engaging said tubular portion of the seal for securingv said float to said seal.

9. The invention set forth in claim 7 in which clampin means is provided for engaging said tu ular portion of the seal for securing said ioat to said seal, said clampin means comprising jaws and a ring sli ab e alon said jaws for causing them to clamp sai tubular portion.

10. In apparatus of the class described, in

combination, a `tanlradapted to contain li uid, pivoted means for su portin a float signature.

CLARENCE A. DE GIERS.

E@ within the tank, and a ilemble rub er seal attached to the wall of the tank and enclosing said supporting means for sealing said supporting means from the tank contents.

11. The invention set forth in claim 10 in which said rubber seal comprises a bell-like portion for attaching to the wall, and a tubular portion for snugly engaging said supporting means.'

12. In apparatus of the class described, in

U0 combination, a tank adapted to contain a liquid, a metallic sleeve forming an opening through the tank wall, a ivoted float-supporting member within t e tank, a auge mounted on the outside end of said s eeve,

@5 means passing through said sleeve and con- 

